If you wish to know what can go wrong with a wooden Schleicher glider see
http://www.tux.org/~milgram/k8.html which I have copied from a posting to
another thread.
I remember seeing a K8 over 20 years ago being re-covered, there was a lot
of structure aft of the spar with glue failure.
I was told that the main 'D' box was built in the factory using Aerodux or
similar, but the aft structure ribs etc. were built by out workers in their
homes, and used a single part glue which was not waterproof; it is this
"pink" glue which fails.
I have since then heard of many wooden 'K' series needing major re-building
of the structure aft of the spar. One friend sold his K6E trailer with the
glider free inside it, a professional rebuild would have been uneconomic and
he did not have the skills to do it himself; it has been bought by someone
looking for a project. Another club K6CR was condemned as needing a major
rebuild, again it has been bought as a project.
Schleicher originally covered all these gliders with cotton, I think there
is much sense in the suggestion that they should all be re-covered every 10
years.
The K7 crash on 26th May 2004 which killed two people and which led to the
BGA Mandatory Inspection is being investigated by the AAIB, they have not
yet reported. However the preliminary BGA report includes the statement
that "The aircraft was seen to lose the major part of the starboard wing
shortly after completing a winch launch and whilst carrying out what
appeared to be clearing turns".
W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
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"W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.)." wrote in message
...
There has been discussion about the life of wooden gliders.
Anyone owning or thinking of buying a Schleicher wooden glider should look
at the inspections required by the British Gliding Association.
This is British Gliding Association mandatory aircraft inspection number
042/07/2004 issue 2, dated 12 August 2004, which may be found at
http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/tec...04-issue-2.pdf .
W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
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